HINDOO CUSTOMS. 163 



It is remarkable that horses which are bold 

 in disposition, and quiet in management 

 when first they come into the hilly country, 

 should soon become timid, and frequently 

 start at trifling objects. I can account for it 

 in no other way, than their having at some 

 time or other smelt a tiger or leopard, and 

 natural instinct causes that fear. 



Previously to my being at Chittrah, a Mr. 

 Archibald Keir had resided there on a mining 

 speculation, I was informed that he found 

 silver, copper and tin in small quantities, also 

 coal, and a large vein of lead, from which he 

 made a considerable return, notwithstanding 

 which, he sustained great loss in the concern, 

 more I believe from not meeting with the pro- 

 tection and encouragement he deserved, than 

 from any other cause. Gold abounds in that 

 country; and in Tomar there is a hill called 

 Sonah Pahar, [golden hill] at the foot of 

 which large quantities of gold maybe collect- 

 ed. Two Gentlemen had entered into an 

 engagement to invest a large sum of money 

 M 2 



